The Spectator headline on Monday morning read "MIGHTY IMPERIALS DEFEAT REVAMPED HAMILTON SQUAD" Three thousand fans were treated to a rain-soaked exhibition game at HAAA on Saturday. It was a tough battle but the Bengals succumbed to a fourth quarter rally by Sarnia to lose a close match by the score 12 - 10. The Tigers performed admirably considering was a veteran team, while Hamilton were introducing a number of rookies. Additionally the Bengals were badly outweighed by the Sarnia team.. They made up for this in part by excellent team speed, but a smaller defensive line had trouble stopping the running of Bernie Moror from Sarnia. Feelings ran high throughout the game, and both Simpson and Wilson had to be restrained on occasion. Red Dunn and Mike Clawson were both heaved in the fourth quarter after trading punches.
Both coaches substituted freely in this exhibition match trying to establish who woould be their starters for the seaon opener next week. The Tigers used three quarterbacks with Whitaker and Painton both showing promise. The regular season opener will take place next Saturday against the Argos at HAAA grounds.




The Spectator headline on Monday morning read "JUNGLE KINGS ARE BEATEN IN OPENER WITH SCULLERS" "Lose by 17 - 16 in a Thrill-Packed Battle Saturday --
Argos Capitalize on Frequent Bengal Errors
and Hold Off Desperate Closing Rush"

Argos capitalize on frequent Bengals errors in an exciting crowd-pleasing performance on Saturday at HAAA grounds.
After a scoreless first quarter the Argos scored a single and a beautiful placement to hold a 4-0 lead at the half. The third quarter was very exciting with the Bengals scoring right after the opening kickoff, the teams both scoring 11 points in the quarter leaving the Bengals trailing 15-11 after three quarters. In the final quarter a field goal try by Stukus went wide but Painton was forced to yield a rouge. Later in the quarter a long Bengal drive was finished off when great blocking by Zvonkin allowed Eddie Wright to score a touchdown to tie the score at 16 apiece. On the ensuing short kickoff, a fumble was gathered in by Isbester who promptly hoofed a single for the winning point.
On the day the Tigers managed 6 first downs to the Argos four, but in the passing the Argos fared better with seven completions in 13 attempts, while the Bengals only managed one catch in seven attempts. At the end of the day the fans were treated to a hard fought exciting game of football which was in doubt to the very end. Unfortunately the final outcome was not in the Tigers favour.

The Spectator headline on Monday morning read "JUNGLE KINGS HIT CELLAR WITH REVERSE AT CAPITAL"

Failure to capitalize on early chances to score singles, particularly with the wind favourable, put a differenc aspect on the game than it could have. Down only 3 - 0 at the half, the Riders had a strong third quarter managing a touchdown, convert and a single point to lead 10 - 0 going into the fourth quarter. At this point singles were not an option as they needed touchdowns. Th e Bengals played hard, but poor judgement on scoring opportunities hurt them. Also the Ottawa heavier front line was able to stop their ground game, resulting in any offence being gained by the forward pass or the kicking game.

The loss leaves a strong Tigers team winless after two starts and a much reduced chance at the Big Four title. See league standings in graphic at right.

The headline in Monday's Spectator read "BENGALS BATTER INDIANS AND GET BACK IN RUNNING"


"Welch, Manorek and Simpson Lead Jungle Kings to Impressive 14 to 1 Victory Over Montrealers Here on Saturday." Playing on a slippery field, the passing game and end runs were all but impossible, resulting in game of frequent plunges and much kicking, The Tigers line play was excellent even though they were outweighed by their opponents. Simpson played a strong game on defence, seeing to be in on every tackle. Welch's kicking gave the Bengals a strong advantage while Eliowicz struggled in the punting game because of the strong rush of the Tigers. However it was the rookie Teddie Manerek who turned in the best all around performance of the day. His defensive work was excelled only by his great ball carrying and it was his running that finally battered his way across the Montreal goal line for the only touchddown of the day scored by either side. "in the final, driving home strongly, Welch lifted three singles against one for Eliowitcz before Red Dunn intercepted a forward pass, and ran 12 yards to Montreal's twelve, from where Manorek crashed twice for a touchdownthat Welch converted to complete the scoring." This happened late in the final quarter and put the game out of reach for the Bytown boys. "Superior line play throughout by the likes of Wright, Timmis, Dunn, Zvonkin, Mallard and Mountain more than held its own agains a bigger Montreal crew.

The victory leaves the Argos with a 3 - 0 record and the other three teams tied with 1 - 2 records, but still in the race for the title. Next week's return match in Montreal will be an important one.

The headline in Monday.s Spectator read "SIMPSON AND WELCH LEAD BENGALS IN GREAT BATTLE "


In a fierce defensive battle led by the open field tackling of Simpson and superb kicking of Welch the Tigers managed a 3 - 2 victory over Montreal. The defensive play of the Tigers was aided by Zvonkin, Timmis, Mountain, Eddie Wright and Red Dunn, who also had an interception, helping keep the Indians at bay. The Montrealers gained more yardage and had more pass completions, but the stouit defence and powerful kicking of Welch kept them in their own end. It was Welch's kicking that ultimately scored the only points the Tigers managed and the ferocious defence led by Jimmy Simpson that kept the Montrealers to their meagre point total.
The slim victory by a margin of 3 - 2 leaves the Bengals in second place in the standings with a 2 - 2 record well behind the Argos who are still undefeated at 4 - 0, but still with a chance at a playoff spot.

The headline in Monday's Spectator read "POWERFUL OTTAWA GRIDDERS CRUSH TIGERS IN HOT BOUT"


The Riders moved into a second place tie with the Bengals by crushing them 14 - 4 in their own backyard. The Tigers started well with a placement by Whitaker in the first quarter and a single by Welch to take a 4 - 0 lead in the second quarter. But that was all the scoring they would do on this day. A serious shoulder injury to quarterback Denny Whitaker and ejection to Teddy Manorek would hamper their offence the rest of the way. Although they had some good runs on offence, the passing game was shut right down. The Bengals best weapon was the superb kicking of Welch and the tackling of Simpson and Allison. Despite these excellent efforts the Riders scored two converted touchdowns in the second quarter and led 12 - 4 at the half. The third quarter was scoreless and the Riders added a roiuge and a deaadline in the fourth to bring their victory to a total of 14 - 4. The only path to a playoff for the Tigers would be with a victory over the Argos next week and a loss by Ottawa to Montreal.

The headline in Monday's Spectator read "BENGALS LAST CHANCE LOST WHEN ARGOS TURN ON POWER"


The Jungle Kings were soundly trounced in the mud and rain on Saturday by the Argos at Varsity Stadium. The score was 18 - 5. a bewildering attack of extensions and forward passes left the Bengals ragged by days end. Even our kicking star Huck Welch was out footed for the first time this season. Their lone score was a touchdown by Manorek and came as a result of an Argo fumble. At this point the score was 6 - 5 for the Scullers in the third quarter. But this was as close as the Bengals would come as the Argos would go on to score two touchdowns and a single without response from Hamilton. This leaves the Tigers out of the playoffs this season with the Argos and Ottawa to face off on Saturday to begin the two game series to determine the IRFU champion for 1937.

The Spectator headline on Monday morning read

"EASTERN CHAMPIONS DEFEAT WINNIPEG IN CLOSE BATTLE"

Isbisters Kicking Prominent Feature of Scullers' 4-3 Victory Over Blue Bombers in Frost-Tinged Final


The Bombers went down to defeat because they could not shake loose their great running back Fritzie Hansen and were unable to match the great kicking of Isbister, although Oleander did kick well for the Peggers.
In addition to holding Hansen in check, the other backs were stymied as well by a great display of open field tackling by the Argos. Additionally they ran the Western extensions into the ground and held the Bombers to two pass completions out of 12 attempted. The Oarsmen made 8 first downs against 5 for the Pegs. Due to the frosty conditions, interception and fumbles played a prominent role in the game probably contributing to the lack of scoring.
The Oarsmen were led by Morris, Edwards, Bill Stukus, Cutler West and McPherson while Burt, Evans, Barker and West were excellent up front. In the scoring department, a field goal by Bob Selkirk in the first quarter and a single by Isbister in the second frame was all the Argos needed as the Bombers were held to 3 single points on missed placement attempts. Isbister made the difference in the Argos holding on to their lead as he frequently kept the Bombers pinned deep in their own end.
It was a brand of football whick kept the crowd entertained though the temperature was a little low for comfort.



























Click here to return to Home Page

See related articles and links at right. You may email me with comments/pictures/programs etc. using the contact us link at the top right of this page.